As legal back-and-forth continues, Ezekiel Elliott now eligible to play Sunday

Another day brings us another update on whether or not Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will be playing this Sunday. As of this moment, he is going to play for the Cowboys on Sunday.

The status of the Cowboys running back was altered twice this week, first with a court ruling siding in favor of upholding the NFL’s six-game suspension in a prolonged back-and-forth over the issue of the suspension. But today, the sitation was reversed once more in favor of Elliott by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The Second Circuit granted Elliott’s motion for a brief administrative stay, as reported by Daniel Wallach via Twitter. In short, Elliott is now eligible to play Sunday.

BREAKING: Second Circuit grants Zeke Elliott's motion for a brief administrative stay. He will play Sunday. pic.twitter.com/1mOBmWBLux

What should be noted here is this ruling is only applicable for this weekend’s game. A three-judge panel will have to make a final decision on an expedited basis for Elliott’s motion to have the six-game suspension tossed aside, which will probably be reinstated the following week anyway given how this process is drawing out. Which brings us to a very important question…

Per the most recent ruling from the court system, Elliott’s suspension is still on the table and he will remain eligible to play until a 3-judge panel can coordinate a time to review the case and make a final ruling. The tricky part is figuring out exactly when that will happen. But Elliott remains eligible to play until that panel can get together. So Elliott is available to play this weekend at home against the Kansas City Chiefs, but it remains in limbo whether or not he will be available for a road game against the Atlanta Falcons next week. If the panel of judges cannot get together in the next week, then Elliott will remain eligible to play.

No timeline on when court will decide injunction,but referred it to "next available panel".Guess it will be next wk,but definitely not today

Elliott was originally suspended by the NFL for six games for allegations of domestic violence, but an appeals process has seen the suspension overturned, upheld, overturned, and upheld on a regular basis through one of the most bizarre legal battles the NFL has seen in a while. While it has been going on, Elliott has remained eligible to play for the Cowboys. If Elliott had served his suspension, he would have already been back on the field without an issue, although he would not have been paid during that time. Now, the legal issue could either end up shutting Elliott down for a key stretch at the end of the regular season for the Cowboys or hang in legal limbo for the offseason (which at this point appears far more likely). Whatever happens, this has been one big headache or the NFL offices and legal team.

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to NBCSports.com's College Football Talk, Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Host of the No 2-Minute Warning Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and iHeart Radio. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.